Was there a situation that helped you in your faith, your devotions? Was it a personal loss, an unexpected moment, an illness, a trial (today's violence, job loss,), a "loss of control"?
The one major turning point that stands out in memory is when we wanted to baptize our 2nd child. The Episcopal vicar insisted on a ceremony that definitively excluded our extended family so we went to the local Roman Catholic parish. (I was raised Episcopal, DH Catholic.) The RC priest flat refused to baptize our child because he'd spoken with the Episcopal vicar and felt we belonged to her somehow. I felt very hurt and betrayed and found myself in a crisis of faith that lasted several years. I was only able to dig myself out of it by basically scrapping everything and starting over from scratch. Reading, researching and deciding from the most basic things what *I* really believed and what I didn't.
I was a cradle Catholic. Left in college, tried out Zen and other spiritual paths. Something very traumatic happened in my life in my 40s and I ran, not walked, back to my Church! LOL! ;)) I was comforted, nourished and welcomed back Home. Then things went well in my life again for many years, I became complacent, I didn't need God or the Church... This second time I have come Home, there was no traumatic event per se in my life. It was just an opening of my heart. I had been feeling lost for a few years, my independent/solitary type spiritual path ceasing to nourish or guide me. When Pope John Paul II died and our new Pope was elected, I just felt I was being called Home once again. Maybe this time I will stay Home, where I belong. ;))
My big turning point came when my husband had an affair. I was devastated and it made me question everything about how I felt, what I thought and what I believed in. I often feel now like the person I am bears absolutely no resemblence to the person I was before that happened and my three closest friends who are the only ones to know me well enough have also commented on this, though many people who don't really know me probably don't notice any difference. To me though the internal life I lead now and the way I think and feel almost make me feel like I have lived two lives during one incarnation. The road to get from the devastation to the happy state I mostly feel these days was the hardest I've ever travelled but was certainly worth the journey. If I'm honest I can't imagine I will ever say I am glad it happened, but I am glad for the way we both handled the aftermath and for where we are today.
God knows your precious heart desires and do not let the wordly ones worry you. You are the temple of the living God and let and allow the Christ seed to grow within. Religions should not control you . and many are called out into genuine spiritual growth. Thus ask to be led by the Holy Spirit. Receive proper understanding of the scripture in Truth to replace errors. Meditate,contemplate,adoration under the grace and mercy granted to us to be genuine sons-daughters of the most high in the only eternal family ,that is the family of God. Regard you as a precious one and prayers for you and family. Ask the Father to go before you, and some errors will still be made on our journey. the things you would not do over again are no longer you. Many are being called ouet of religon as there time has come, in this do not think you are better than the others but thank ful you are no longer one of them. trust this does not confuse you . ira You will be led and know. feel free to respond
Your heart felt needs(are spiritually granted) and the Lord knows your prayer before you ask. Pray and draw unto him in fellowship raise your child(children) the best you can and thus you Honor God ,for the Life to be lived entered into your family. You have already dedicated your child to The Creator (spiritually) so do not worry. My self having many precious spiritual Christian relationships years before and after imersion baptism at 30 some years of age. may the Holy spirit comfort you.
Cara that is so sad. Your poor husband's family has suffered a great deal. I can well imagine how living through those terrible experiences has changed things forever.
I've left formal religion behind as well. One of the things I realized in my journey is that religion is created by men, not gods, and that I've always felt closer to Spirit when I deal directly and on my own terms. I'm very much at Peace now on my Path and know I'm where I belong.
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I was a cradle Catholic. Left in college, tried out Zen and other spiritual paths. Something very traumatic happened in my life in my 40s and I ran, not walked, back to my Church! LOL! ;)) I was comforted, nourished and welcomed back Home. Then things went well in my life again for many years, I became complacent, I didn't need God or the Church... This second time I have come Home, there was no traumatic event per se in my life. It was just an opening of my heart. I had been feeling lost for a few years, my independent/solitary type spiritual path ceasing to nourish or guide me. When Pope John Paul II died and our new Pope was elected, I just felt I was being called Home once again. Maybe this time I will stay Home, where I belong. ;))
Anna
My big turning point came when my husband had an affair. I was devastated and it made me question everything about how I felt, what I thought and what I believed in. I often feel now like the person I am bears absolutely no resemblence to the person I was before that happened and my three closest friends who are the only ones to know me well enough have also commented on this, though many people who don't really know me probably don't notice any difference. To me though the internal life I lead now and the way I think and feel almost make me feel like I have lived two lives during one incarnation. The road to get from the devastation to the happy state I mostly feel these days was the hardest I've ever travelled but was certainly worth the journey. If I'm honest I can't imagine I will ever say I am glad it happened, but I am glad for the way we both handled the aftermath and for where we are today.
Blessings Carol
My life turning point was nearly half a lifetime ago when a new minister came to our church upon the retirement of the previous one.
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CL-ladybug987
Cara that is so sad. Your poor husband's family has suffered a great deal. I can well imagine how living through those terrible experiences has changed things forever.
Blessings Carol
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